This episode deals with a topic that a lot of people actively avoid thinking about, but which frankly must be addressed forthrightly to avoid arguments in our families after we’re gone: the allocation of property after we die. And while many of us don’t want to think about this question, caring about our families requires us to do so.
We can freely admit that the Torah laws of inheritance are quite different from what most parents would want for their children. In fact, a firstborn son receives a double portion, a wife does not inherit her husband, and daughters do not inherit property when there are also sons. While there are provisions in halacha to take care of the surviving wife and daughters, the simple reality is that the vast majority of people would rather not follow the laws of inheritance as set down in the Torah – and for good reason.
Jewish law has provided a solution, which is a halachic supplement to the regular legal will. But how does it work? How is this not a violation of Torah law? What is the legal and philosophical justification for ignoring the Torah’s directive that wives and daughters, in most cases, do not inherit property?
To answer these and other questions, Scott spoke with Rabbi Menachem Copperman, the founder and manager of Kadat V’Kadin ([email protected]; kadatvkadin.com/).
Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108).
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Music: “Happy Rock” by bensound.com